University of Ioannina

About: University of Ioannina is a education organization based out in Ioannina, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 7654 authors who have published 20594 publications receiving 671560 citations. The organization is also known as: Panepistimio Ioanninon.

Transcription factor E2F-1 acts as a growth-promoting factor and is associated with adverse prognosis in non-small cell lung carcinomas.

Abstract: Numerous upstream stimulatory and inhibitory signals converge to the pRb/E2F pathway, which governs cell-cycle progression, but the information concerning alterations of E2F-1 in primary malignancies is very limited. Several in vitro studies report that E2F-1 can act either as an oncoprotein or as a tumour suppressor protein. In view of this dichotomy in its functions and its critical role in cell cycle control, this study examined the following four aspects of E2F-1 in a panel of 87 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs), previously analysed for defects in the pRb-p53-MDM2 network: firstly, the status of E2F-1 at the protein, mRNA and DNA levels; secondly, its relationship with the kinetic parameters and genomic instability of the tumours; thirdly, its association with the status of its transcriptional co-activator CBP, downstream target PCNA and main cell cycle regulatory and E2F-1-interacting molecules pRb, p53 and MDM2; and fourthly, its impact on clinical outcome. The protein levels of E2F-1 and its co-activator CBP were significantly higher in the tumour area than in the corresponding normal epithelium (p Asp) and one carrying a polymorphism at codon 393 (Gly-->Ser). Carcinomas with increased E2F-1 positivity demonstrated a significant increase in their growth indexes (r=0.402, p=0.001) and were associated with adverse prognosis (p=0.033 by Cox regression analysis). The main determinant of the positive association with growth was the parallel increase between E2F-1 staining and proliferation (r=0.746, p<0.001), whereas apoptosis was not influenced by the status of E2F-1. Moreover, correlation with the status of the pRb-p53-MDM2 network showed that the cases with aberrant pRb expression displayed significantly higher E2F-1 indexes (p=0.033), while a similar association was noticed in the group of carcinomas with deregulation of the p53-MDM2 feedback loop. In conclusion, the results suggest that E2F-1 overexpression may contribute to the development of NSCLCs by promoting proliferation and provide evidence that this role is further enhanced in a genetic background with deregulated pRb-p53-MDM2 circuitry.

Mutations in FRMD7, a newly identified member of the FERM family, cause X-linked idiopathic congenital nystagmus

Abstract: Idiopathic congenital nystagmus is characterized by involuntary, periodic, predominantly horizontal oscillations of both eyes. We identified 22 mutations in FRMD7 in 26 families with X-linked idiopathic congenital nystagmus. Screening of 42 singleton cases of idiopathic congenital nystagmus (28 male, 14 females) yielded three mutations (7%). We found restricted expression of FRMD7 in human embryonic brain and developing neural retina, suggesting a specific role in the control of eye movement and gaze stability.

A First Course In The Numerical Analysis Of Differential Equations [Book News & Reviews]

Abstract: Numerical analysis presents different faces to the world. For mathematicians it is a bona fide mathematical theory with an applicable flavour. For scientists and engineers it is a practical, applied subject, part of the standard repertoire of modelling techniques. For computer scientists it is a theory on the interplay of computer architecture and algorithms for realnumber calculations. The tension between these standpoints is the driving force of this book, which presents a rigorous account of the fundamentals of numerical analysis both of ordinary and partial differential equations. The point of departure is mathematical, but the exposition strives to maintain a balance among theoretical, algorithmic and applied aspects of the subject. This new edition has been extensively updated, and includes new chapters on developing subject areas: geometric numerical integration, an emerging paradigm for numerical computation that exhibits exact conservation of important geometric and structural features of the underlying differential equation; spectral methods, which have come to be seen in the last two decades as a serious competitor to finite differences and finite elements; and conjugate gradients, one of the most powerful contemporary tools in the solution of sparse linear algebraic systems. Other topics covered include numerical solution of ordinary differential equations by multistep and Runge–Kutta methods; finite difference and finite elements techniques for the Poisson equation; a variety of algorithms to solve large, sparse algebraic systems; methods for parabolic and hyperbolic differential equations and techniques for their analysis. The book is accompanied by an appendix that presents brief back-up in a number of mathematical topics.

Hair as a biological indicator of drug use, drug abuse or chronic exposure to environmental toxicants.

Abstract: In recent years hair has become a fundamental biological specimen, alternative to the usual samples blood and urine, for drug testing in the fields of forensic toxicology, clinical toxicology and clinical chemistry Moreover, hair-testing is now extensively used in workplace testing, as well as, on legal cases, historical research etc This article reviews methodological and practical issues related to the application of hair as a biological indicator of drug use/abuse or of chronic exposure to environmental toxicants Hair structure and the mechanisms of drug incorporation into it are commented The usual preparation and extraction methods as well as the analytical techniques of hair samples are presented and commented on The outcomes of hair analysis have been reviewed for the following categories: drugs of abuse (opiates, cocaine and related, amphetamines, cannabinoids), benzodiazepines, prescribed drugs, pesticides and organic pollutants, doping agents and other drugs or substances Finally, the specific purpose of the hair testing is discussed along with the interpretation of hair analysis results regarding the limitations of the applied procedures